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Low-carbon concrete: sustainable performance at an affordable price

From National Research Council Canada

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DOIResolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.4224/40003155
AuthorSearch for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1
Affiliation
  1. National Research Council Canada. Construction
FormatText, Technical Report
Physical description12 p.
Subjectlow carbon concrete
Abstract
The Canadian Government has set ambitious targets to reduce GHG emissions by 2025 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to address the climate crisis. The construction industry must undergo a significant decarbonization process to help mitigate the climate crisis. This white paper provides information on general approaches that have been well-known or widely used in lowering the embodied carbon of concrete materials, as well as cost, without compromising performance or safety. It addressed some common perceived risks of using low-carbon concrete and discussed how current standards support low-carbon concrete materials in construction projects. Understanding that great efforts are being undertaken globally in developing low-carbon concrete, which is a fast-evolving area and critical to reducing GHG emissions in the construction sector, it is not the intention of the paper to discuss the new, emerging and promising innovations. This white paper seeks to facilitate the procurement and implementation of concrete in construction projects across Canada that has lower embodied carbon, based on the evidence of the existing technologies and approaches that are widely accepted but may not have been seen as the low-carbon strategies among the concrete and structure engineers’ communities. By increasing the use of low-carbon concrete, we can help reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint and move towards a more sustainable future.
Publication date
PublisherNational Research Council of Canada. Construction
Related publication
  • Greenis, Mitchell, Galal Fares, Davoud Heidari, and Jieying Zhang. ‘Low-Carbon Concrete Materials: Current and Emerging Technologies’. National Research Council of Canada., 19 June 2025. https://doi.org/10.4224/40003529.
Translation of
  • Greenis, M., A. Adesina, and J. Zhang. ‘Béton à Faible Teneur En Carbone : Un Rendement Durable à Prix Abordable’. Conseil national de recherches du Canada. Construction, 4 September 2023. .
NoteOn title page: A White Paper for Engineers
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
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Record identifier0e307bed-5034-4fe0-bc50-0aacd1722b5c
Record created2023-10-09
Record modified2025-07-10
Date modified: